Tailor-made sauna for hotels: Why individual solutions make the difference
The success of a wellness area hinges on its sauna. While many hotels rely on standard products, the most successful ones rely on tailor-made saunas — products that are precisely tailored to the room, target group and design concept of the hotel. In this article, we explain what sets a made-to-measure sauna apart, the different options available, and what to consider when planning.
Made-to-measure sauna: What does the term mean?
A custom-made sauna is not a catalogue product that can be ordered in different sizes. It is an object that is individually planned and manufactured to exact dimensions, room geometry and design requirements. This includes everything from the floor area and height to the choice of wood type, surface structure, technology and lighting, as well as integration into the surrounding architecture.
In the hotel sector, tailor-made saunas are particularly relevant because no two wellness rooms are the same. Sloping ceilings, unusual floor plans, attic locations and listed buildings all pose insurmountable problems for standard products. A custom-made sauna is developed precisely for these situations, transforming architectural challenges into design features.
What types of custom-made sauna are available?
The first step in the process of creating a made-to-measure sauna is to decide on the type of sauna. Each type has its own indoor climate, target group and technical requirements.
Finnish sauna: The classic option, offering dry heat between 80 and 100°C (176 – 212F) with low humidity. It is ideal for guests who appreciate intense warmth and traditional infusion. As a bespoke sauna, it can be crafted from premium woods such as aspen, alder, or thermo-ash, and seamlessly integrated into the wellness area.
Bio-Sauna: Milder temperatures of around 50–65 °C (122 – 149 F) with higher humidity. This is particularly suitable for guests who find the heat of a classic sauna too intense. A made-to-measure sauna in this style offers scope for atmospheric design, including lighting control, scent systems and sound therapy.
Combined infra-bio sauna: The fastest-growing category in the hotel segment. This customisable sauna combines the deep warming effect of infrared radiation with the mild climate of the Bio-Sauna, offering two experiences in one room for maximum operational flexibility and broader appeal to a wider target group.
The steam sauna offers humid heat at 40–60 °C (104 – 140 F) and saturated humidity. It is technically demanding to implement as the sealing, ventilation and choice of materials must meet the highest requirements. A made-to-measure steam sauna with natural stone, mosaic or matt chrome steel surfaces becomes a premium feature of the wellness area.
Material and design: What constitutes a high-quality sauna?
With a made-to-measure sauna, quality begins with the materials used. For the interior, heat-resistant woods with a pleasant smell and an appealing texture are in demand. Aspen, alder and thermo-ash are among the most popular options for the sauna area. For outdoor use, particularly in freestanding sauna houses or garden saunas, weatherproof hardwoods or weather-resistant thermal flooring is ideal.
The design of a bespoke sauna naturally fits into the overarching design language of the hotel. Modern alpine architecture requires different solutions to those needed for an urban design hotel or a historic spa house. Large-scale glass fronts, integrated lighting concepts, bespoke bench configurations and external infusion areas are all possible and developed in collaboration with the client during the planning phase.
Tailor-made saunas for hotel operations: technology, maintenance and operational safety.
A sauna designed for hotel use has different requirements to a private sauna. Daily continuous operation, fluctuating numbers of users and high hygiene requirements must be considered when planning, selecting materials and choosing technology. High-quality sauna controls with programmable heat-up times, automatic overheating protection and a remote maintenance option are standard for professional, tailor-made hotel saunas.
Maintainability also plays a crucial role: components must be easily accessible, and spare parts must be readily available. A sauna that can be operated reliably and without long periods of downtime is essential for smooth wellness operations and satisfied guests.
A custom-made sauna from IMAGINOX and TAO offers quality from a single source.
TAO is the sauna division of the IMAGINOX Group and is renowned for its precision craftsmanship, modern designs and reliable performance. Thanks to our own carpentry workshop, we can manufacture saunas entirely according to your individual requirements — in any size, with any type of wood, and with any lighting and equipment configuration. All commercial models comply with technology, hygiene and safety regulations, and can be conveniently managed remotely by hotel staff. From the initial design to the final handover, each sauna is custom-made in close collaboration with the client, tailored to the room geometry, target audience and the hotel’s design specifications. Our range includes Finnish saunas, organic saunas, combined infra-bio saunas and steam baths in a variety of sizes and configurations.
Reference projects such as the Al Nin Hotel & Spa in Livigno, where a custom-made sauna world was realised as part of a two-storey wellness area, demonstrate the end result: a bespoke sauna that is technically impressive and becomes an unmistakable feature of the hotel. Further information is available at www.imaginox.com.
